Disney storybooks debut in Indian languages

Disney Publishing Worldwide (India), a division of The Walt Disney Co. (India), has entered into a licensing agreement with Popular Prakashan to publish classic Disney storybooks such as The Jungle Book, Aladdin, The Lion King, Winnie the Pooh, Bambi, Cinderella, Tarzan and Peter Pan in Hindi and Marathi. Illustrated in traditional Disney style, these eight titles will also be available in Malayalam in March.

“Disney stories carry positive values and bring out the gift of imagination in children. These eight Disney titles will help promote family reading in local languages,” says Harsha Bhatkal of Popular Prakashan.

With more than 1,000 titles to its credit, Popular Prakashan has been associated earlier too with various children’s titles, including Chandamama, and helped to bring such content to the Indian market at a nominal price.

“The launch of this collection reinforces our commitment to localise our stories and connect with consumers through content that is relevant to their everyday lives,” says a Disney (India) spokesperson.

The Disney storybooks will be available in full colour and are priced at Rs 40 each.

Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the largest children’s publisher in the world, with 274 million copies of children’s magazines sold worldwide and 120 million children’s books sold each year. A leading comic book publisher, Disney Publishing has been producing comic books since 1930, with more than 340 regular titles read in more than 80 countries around the globe. DPW is based in New York City.